Discordant Electrocardiogram Left Ventricular Wall Thickness and Strain Findings in Influenza Myocarditis

A 42‐year‐old man presented with a viral prodrome and tested positive for influenza A. He rapidly deteriorated developing cardiogenic shock, rhabdomyolysis, and acute kidney injury. Patient improved 1 week later with supportive measures including vasopressors, inotropes, and an intraaortic balloon pump. We report this case as it highlights the discordance between echocardiographic ventricular wall thickening as a result of myocardial edema, and electrocardiographic findings at presentation, with a reversal in findings at time of resolution. Additionally, there was some suggestion of a regional pattern to the reduced longitudinal strain.     

Outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with heart failure with a midrange ejection fraction

BackgroundCoronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) improves survival in patients with heart failure and severely reduced left ventricular systolic function (LVEF). Limited data exist regarding adverse cardiovascular event rates after CABG in patients with heart failure with midrange ejection fraction (HFmrEF; LVEF > 40% and < 55%).MethodsWe analyzed data on isolated CABG patients from the Veterans Affairs national database (2010-2019). We stratified patients into control (normal LVEF and no heart failure), HFmrEF, and heart failure with reduced LVEF (HFrEF) groups. We compared all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization rates between groups with a Cox model and recurrent events analysis, respectively.ResultsIn 6533 veterans, HFmrEF and HFrEF was present in 1715 (26.3%) and 566 (8.6%) respectively; the control group had 4252 (65.1%) patients. HFrEF patients were more likely to have diabetes mellitus (59%), insulin therapy (36%), and previous myocardial infarction (31%). Anemia was more prevalent in patients with HFrEF (49%) as was a lower serum albumin (mean, 3.6 mg/dL). Compared with the control group, a higher risk of death was observed in the HFmrEF (hazard ratio [HR], 1.3 [1.2-1.5)] and HFrEF (HR, 1.5 [1.2-1.7]) groups. HFmrEF patients had the higher risk of myocardial infarction (subdistribution HR, 1.2 [1-1.6]; P = .04). Risk of heart failure hospitalization was higher in patients with HFmrEF (HR, 4.1 [3.5-4.7]) and patients with HFrEF (HR, 7.2 [6.2-8.5]).ConclusionsHeart failure with midrange ejection fraction negatively affects survival after CABG. These patients also experience higher rates myocardial infarction and heart failure hospitalization.     

PCI和静脉溶栓治疗急性心肌梗死的疗效比较

目的探讨经皮冠状动脉介入(PCI)和静脉溶栓在急性心肌梗死患者中的应用价值。方法选择我院2013年1月至2014年9月收治的60例急性心肌梗死患者作为研究对象,随机分为实验组和对照组各30例。实验组患者采用PCI治疗,对照组患者采用静脉溶栓治疗,比较两组患者血管再通率、死亡发生率、ST段回落情况、住院时间、近远期不良事件发生率、左室舒张末径和左室射血分数变化情况。结果实验组血管再通率显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),而近期和远期不良事件发生率均低于对照组,近期不良事件发生率组间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),而远期不良事件发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。实验组患者死亡发生率、ST段回落和住院时间均低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。实验组左室射血分数在术后1个月、3个月和6个月时均显著高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论急性心肌梗死患者应用PCI治疗可显著提高血管再通率、降低死亡和不良事件发生率,有效改善心功能。     

Idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins: Rare case of ischemic colitis mimicking inflammatory bowel disease

Idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins (IMHMV) is a rare and poorly understood ischemic colitis that occurs in the rectosigmoid colon of predominantly young, previously healthy, male patients. A 76‐year‐old Japanese man presented to our hospital with a 1‐year history of worsening diarrhea, lower abdominal pain, and weight loss (−6 kg). Laboratory evaluation revealed white blood cell count of 13 200/μL, C‐reactive protein level of 2.0 mg/dL (normal range, 0.0–0.3), and negative results for stool culture (including Clostridium difficile). Colonoscopy showed circumferential and edematous narrowing of the sigmoid colon with deep longitude ulceration. Biopsy was done and examination of the specimen demonstrated no specific ischemia. The patient was treated with bowel rest, antibiotics, and i.v. fluids; however, his symptoms worsened. Finally, sigmoidectomy was carried out. Histological examination demonstrated significant myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins leading to thickening and stenosis of the venous lumen. Therefore, the final diagnosis was IMHMV. Three months following sigmoidectomy, he was asymptomatic.     

Clinical outcomes of bypass-first versus endovascular-first strategy in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia due to infrageniculate arterial disease

Background

Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), defined as ischemic rest pain or tissue loss secondary to arterial insufficiency, is caused by multilevel arterial disease with frequent, severe infrageniculate disease. The rise in CLTI is in part the result of increasing worldwide prevalence of diabetes, renal insufficiency, and advanced aging of the population. The aim of this study was to compare a bypass-first with an endovascular-first revascularization strategy in patients with CLTI due to infrageniculate arterial disease.

不同强度运动对大鼠心脏降钙素基因相关肽的影响

目的:探讨不同强度运动训练对降钙素基因相关肽(CGRP)在心脏组织中表达的影响及其作用机制。方法:将60只SD大鼠随机分为对照组(C组)、小强度运动组(LE组)、中等强度运动组(ME组)和大强度运动组(HE组),每组15只。建立8周不同强度运动训练动物模型,采用免疫组织化学法和计算机图像分析技术,对大鼠心脏形态结构进行观察,并进行心脏CGRP免疫组化分析。结果:8周小强度运动后,大鼠心脏CGRP表达较对照组变化不明显;8周中等强度运动后,大鼠心脏CGRP表达较对照组显著增加(P<0.05),HE染色、HBFP染色和变色酸2R亮绿染色显示心肌组织形态结构无明显改变,仅心肌纤维有轻度缺血缺氧改变;8周大强度运动后,大鼠心脏CGRP表达较对照组显著减少(P<0.05),HE染色、HBFP染色和变色酸2R亮绿染色显示心肌形态结构发生改变并存在明显的缺血缺氧损伤。结果表明,长期中等强度运动使心脏CGRP表达增加,改善了冠状循环和心肌血液供应,对心肌细胞具有保护作用;长期大强度运动使心脏CGRP对心肌细胞的保护作用减弱,可能是导致心肌发生缺血缺氧性损伤的重要原因之一。